Everything is going well so far. Not much to report. The birthing class is going well. Our teacher is a RN from Gwinnett Medical’s Labor and Delivery Unit. The class is not what I expected. The instructor keeps emphisizing that you should wait on getting you pain medication, and to try all the self comforting techniques she’s taught us. I actually have been practicing my breathing techniques. I also found out last night that all the labor and delivery rooms have jetted tubs, I’ll be sure to make use of the tub. What’s sad is that I’ll probably enjoy it more than any bath I can take a home regardless of the pain. 

Next week I have another dr visit and I plan on talking with my dr about the interventions I want to avoid, especially an episiotomy and the use of pitocin. I don’t want to use a formal birthing plan because I don’t want to back him into a corner. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only dr at this practice, so I want to be sure it’s in my chart for who ever delivers my baby.

I wonder if genetics play a part in determining how long your labor will last. I hope not. My mother labored for 46 hours before I came out. Hopefully my youth will help me since I am 5 years younger.  The only thing I’m worried about is running out of energy at the end when I have to push. 

On lighter news I have started my first solo sewing project. It’s a baby carrier in the style of the oriental mei tei. If you find them (I only found them on line) they run about $80-100. I got all the material needed for about $30. I’m about half way through. Hopefully tonight I’ll be able to finish it. I plan on giving it to Adam for his birthday wich is right around the corner. I’ll post a pic when it’s finished

Tonight is our first birthing class. We decided to go with the hospitals program, versus an outside class. I'm a little worried about it though. I really want to try for a natural birth and I want enough information about all the different techniques to dealing with pain, besides just medication. I guess I just have this notion that because the hospital is holding the class, that they will simply gloss over a medication free delivery. Most of my friends think I'm crazy for even thinking I want to do this without drugs. I wasn't always in this state of mind. When we first found out we were pregnant, I didn't even dream about trying without an epidural. As time passed, I started reading up on epidurals, and found that there were a lot of side effects that my friends never mentioned. Like the slowing of the delivery process, the higher possibility of tearing or needing an episiotomy,  the higher possibility of needing a c-section, the list goes on. Thank god Adam is behind me whatever I choose. I'm sure I'll be hard for him to see me in such pain. I recently watch Ricki Lake's documentary, The Business of Being Born. It was really informative. I feel a little more prepared, for when the time comes, as far as trying to have a natural birth. Hopefully I'll be able to labor at home as much as possible without any drama.

Most of my friends think I'm a god damn hippy, but I'm okay with that. I think if you're going to be all mother-earthy and natural, it's got to be for your kids. I say I have plans for when Evelyn gets here, and I know some of them will go straight out the window, because I really don't know what I'm talking about, as I don't have any other children, but some I would really like to stick to. Like wearing Evelyn in a wrap, so I can hold her hands free for a big portion of the day. Supposedly babies cry less and learn more quickly when worn. My husband worries that it will make her more dependant on me if she's held all the time, but all the articles I've read said that it will make her more independant, and instead of asking to be held all the time she'll want to be down all the time. Something to do with trust issues.  Another plan I really want to stick with is cloth diapers. This is the one that Adam and I get the most crap about, no one thinks we'll stick with it. I personally hate the feel of disposable diapers, plus they contain sodium polyacrylate, which was removed from tampons because of it's link to toxic shock syndrome.  I just feel that it's in my childs best interest to use cloth diapers. I also want to breast feed. I don't really care if is from the breast directly or a bottle, I just think that it's the best thing for my baby to eat.  Speaking of eating, I also want to make my own baby food. I plan only going back to work a few hours a day, hopefully after 6 months, so I'll have plenty of time during the day to make her food. I love spending a lot of time in the kitchen. You would never figure that right now, but I do really love to ccok, and really how hard is it to puree some sweet potatoes or apples. When you have the time why not invest in what's best for your baby. At least I'll know exactly what will be going into the foods she eats. So there is my hippiness all spelled out.

This morning we had our 3d ultrsound. It was really amazing how much she's grown since the first ultrasound. She was being very stubborn today. All she wanted to do was keep her arm over her face making it nearing impossible to get a good look at her. The few looks we did get, I can say that the Dobson genes are very dominant. She looks a lot like her cousin, Adam's brother's daughter, who really looks like Adam's dad. I now have the theme to the Patty Duke show stuck in my head.  My dad was able to be there, which was really nice. He's been so nervous this whole time, I think more than me sometimes. Hopefully this will put some of his fears to rest.