Forgot to update in the post from the doctor's appointment; our due date changed, which then threw off the day we switch weeks! I am now "due" February 13th and we now switch weeks on Mondays instead of Fridays.
Ever since before getting pregnant, I was reading up on pregnancy, doing tons of research, talking with friends, watching documentaries. The whole process was (and still is!) so intriguing to me that I didn't want to just have 9 short months to figure out what I wanted in my delivery. I really wanted to come into this knowing my stuff and knowing my options. I am so incredibly passionate about natural childbirth and midwives. In my research, I have learned that the way that our maternity system here in America works, frankly, just doesn't make any sense. The fact that our c-section rate in this country is at an all time high of 1 in 3 births just absolutely astounds me. Other countries have lower cesarean rates, more home births, and more midwife use and their rates of complications and infant/maternal mortality are SOOOOO much lower. I have done so much reading about inductions, pitocin, epidurals, c-sections, vacuum assisted deliveries, episiotimies, cytotec, and the list goes on and on. I have learned through my "quest" how important the natural experience is for a woman and her baby. I've learned how women truly are made to give birth and messing with that natural system can cause major side effects. Anyway, I'll refrain from getting too far onto my soapbox, but this week just got me thinking about "the day" and hoping that I will have the courage and strength to follow through with everything I am so passionate about having in this. If you are having a baby, want to have a baby, know someone that is having a baby - there are two INCREDIBLE documentaries that you should check out: The Business of Being Born (also has a book called "Your Best Birth") and Pregnant in America. They are amazing...a little graphic, but amazing. Mark watched one with me last night and afterwards had an even better understanding of how fired-up I am about this incredible opportunity we have coming up very soon!!
So big event this week - we got the crib and it's put together!!!! That was a fun evening! I acted as "Quality Assurance" I think is what Mark called it - I handed him parts and read instructions. Then he would say, "nope...that's not what it's telling me to do", and show me how to read the instructions! We love the crib - it's sturdy, solid and great!! Also this week we got a video monitor which was very exciting. Mark found one he loved and had to get it; it's got a portable LCD that you can use as a "walkie talkie" to whoever is up at the camera. It has a nightlight, night vision, alarm...a few little extras and works wonderfully! We've had fun playing through the house with it...can't wait until it's actually used for baby!!
