News, News, News...

Week 19:

Well things are happening this week in baby-land!

First: On Monday and Tuesday we interviewed three different doulas and made a decision to hire the one we felt the most comfortable with: her name is Jo and she is perfectly bilingual AND she has tons of experience AND is very down-to-earth and competent. Gilbert liked her best of all too so the decision is unanimous and we feel really good about it. We both think that having her around before (she visits us three times pre-natally) during (yup, the WHOLE thing!) and after (two post-natal visits), will really help us through the whole experience.

Second: After talking to all three doulas, I realized that my ob/gyn, despite his years of experience (or perhaps because of?) is probably not the one I want in the room when I am pushing the little tyke out! For instance, he takes a my-way-or-the-highway approach and will insist that I give birth on a medical table (feet in the stirrups just like in the movies) which is not what I want to be obliged to do. (Not after years of yoga and hours of pre-natal yoga & workshops practicing breathing techniques and different positions.)

I phoned up the LaSalle hospital (7 km away from our house) and asked for a referral to another ob/gyn. I will probably transfer to a new one in July.

The LaSalle hospital is known for their modern and mum-centred approach to birthing and will allow me to a) stay in the same room I give birth in post-natally b) walk around c) give birth in the position that works best for me d) welcome my doula into the process. It is also the only hospital that cooperates with midwives and allows midwives to deliver there. I think that this will be the place to go and not the Royal Victoria whose approach is much more ... traditional. All I have to do is get a photocopy of my file from my old ob/gyn on my next visit and then start up with the new doctor!

Third: The best I've saved to last - I can definitely feel some rocking & rolling going on down in my tum! Yup - on Monday night I was lying in bed and some bubbly / poking started happening a few times in a row and I thought to myself "EUREKA! THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT GAS!" - it felt different. Now, I feel the little guy moving about quite regularly (usually when I am lying down or sitting relaxing in a chair). It feels wonderful. I am just sad that Gilbert can't feel it yet (it is too soft and even if it weren't the baby never moves when his papa's hands are on my tummy...) I guess he's afraid Gilbert will start critiquing his golf swing... :)

The pictures today are not of my wee one, but are some ones I found of what a fetus looks like at 19 weeks (for those of you who are interested!) Enjoy!

P.

Baby's thyroid

Hi all,

Just to let you know that after a quick ultrasound on Tuesday morning, the OB/GYN confirmed that the baby's thyroid is perfectly normal! (How on earth someone can see the thyroid on a fetus I am really not sure, but apparently you can.) I managed to catch a glimpse of someone / something frantically batting a limb in the corner of the screen during the scan, so I feel (once again) reassured that the little guy is hopping around there practicing his slapshot (or, more likely, his golf swing...)

Got some great new (pre-loved) maternity clothes from Anik this week, so I thought I'd model them in today's pic.

Next ultrasound & pics of the baby on June 15th!

P.

Tummage & Doulas

Hi all - we are now at the 18 week mark (well, ok - 17 weeks and 5 days) but I thought I'd post to say a few things:

1. The endocrinologist finally did NOT write the recommendation for me to go to a midwife - apparently hyperthyroidism is too big a risk, despite being thyroid neutral ("euthyroid") for over a year. So, I am back to the traditional ob/gyn with at least the comfort that an epidural is still an option (which it wouldn't be with a midwife...)

2. I am now into the next step - looking for a doula. I spoke with one yesterday on the phone who sounded really great, but apparently you have to interview your doula so that you feel comfortable with her before hiring her. (Well, I guess that makes sense as she is going to be there when you are half-naked, exhausted and screaming in pain...) We'll be doing that in the next few weeks, I'll keep you posted (yuk, yuk...)

3. I started pregnancy yoga classes two weeks ago and they are AMAZING. I am already making friends with other mummies-to-be and the exercise is really good for me. Also we do a lot of work on breathing and guided meditation which I am really hoping is going to help on the big day.

4. Despite feeling fabulous (i.e. no longer pukey and exhausted) I realized last night that this whole mama / giving birth thingy is kind of scary! (Maybe it was the conversation with the doula about C-sections that had me dreaming of operating tables and surgical equipment...) A few nightmares later I am realizing that there's no backing out of it now... I wonder when Gilbert will get to that stage (and if he's wise enough not to let me know when he does!!!)

The pic is my 17.5 week belly - people are starting to notice now!

Moving On... (Week 17)

They say that around this time (between 15 and 18 weeks), you will start to feel the baby move. I haven't particularly been looking for signs of this, figuring that when it happens, I'll know it. However, after talking to a couple of girlfriends, I think maybe I might have been feeling it for a while - kind of a little sharp poke once in a while (in fits and starts) - who knows, it could be gas, or it could be a kick... Awwwwhhhh... what a sweet Mother's Day present ;)