I am feeling so different from day to day, but there is an overwhelming sense of happiness, comfort and excitedness that permeates everything.
Chris is amazing...this morning I didn't want to have sex because I didn't feel good. I actually started to cry a little when I woke up because I was nauseous. Hello, Emotions! Instead of griping or something like that, he just got up and made me some toast and sat next to the bed with me until I felt better. Then he ran a hot shower for me. It felt so good to walk into the steamy bathroom, and slowly I began to feel more stabilized. I felt supported and able to get ready for work.
Even though I'm tired a lot, I'm really happy! My body is doing what it was designed to do. I'm learning a lot about relaxation techniques. Going to church at the Cathedral and prayer in general is a very relaxing thing for me. Listening to relaxation music and guided meditations helps me let go of any fear or anxiety that I might have. I'm learning to listen to my body as my ally.
It's hard to not tell everyone around me about what's going on inside of me.
Chris thinks the baby is a boy and so does his mom. We are thinking of names! I am so excited to meet my baby!
2009-11-19 (7 weeks)
Natural Labor Pain Management
Some methods I'm considering...this seems like a good place to gather them into one place for easy reference.
Use different methods throughout the different stages of birth. The best method is to listen to your body - your preferences will change throughout your birthing. Be open to new ideas.
Most pain in labor is artificially created and completely preventable.
Relaxation is the foundation of a comfortable, natural birth.
Throughout birthing, it's normal for women to rotate between favorite labor pain management techniques. She may initially find comfort in the water, only to find that once transistion begins, her body desires to be on dry land. After a few minutes, she may again desire to be back in the water to birth her baby. As labor progresses, her body and her baby's positions constantly change to create optimal conditions for birth. As a result, the need for different forms of labor pain management evolves along the way.
Counter pressure: apply pressure to area of discomfort.
Lunges or Lift technique: back labor can be a sign of an occiput-posterior baby, or one that is facing the mother's abdomen rather than her spine. With this type of presentation, the baby's face may be pressed against the mother's pelvic bones, causing discomfort for both mother and baby. The head isn't able to flex properly to allow the smallest diameter of the head to pass through the birth path. In this case, techniques such as lunges or the lift technique may help the baby rotate into an optimal birthing position.
Give special attention to the mother's senses. Dim lights, use candles. Aromatherapy, scented candles, essential oils. Speak in low, soothing tones. Refrain from unnecessary chatter or extraneous background noise. Relaxation music. Massage, light touch massage. Soft towels, blankets and pillows.
Breathing: sleep/rhythmic breathing centers birthing women and focus their mental state. Inhale for count of 4, exhale to count of 8. Focus on making abdomen rise and fall, rather than collapsing her lungs or using the clavicular breathing. Breathing can be used as a force to expel the baby. You can actually breathe the baby down the birth path by sending breath down through their body. An excellent visualization to pair with this is to envision the body as a "J" with the breath following that shape down and out the birth path. Instead of blowing air out of the mouth, think instead of directing it downward. An excellent way to monitor whether this type of breathing is being done correctly is to place one hand on top of the belly, right beneath the bust. This area at the top of the belly should tighten as the breath is expelled. Another advantage is that it allows the perinium to stay relaxed while the baby is descending, thus reducing the risk of tearing and allowing a smoother, shorter pushing phase, or eliminating it entirely.
Water! Laboring women can get in the shower and direct the water stream to specific areas of discomfort. Using a labor tub decreases the pressure on the mother's body, alleviating pressure and making her more buoyant. This can enhance her relaxation and facilitate comfortable birthing positions. Complete submersion is not always encouraged in early labor as the water may lessen the concentration of oxytocin in the mother's body, thus slowing labor.
Birthing aids: e.g. birthing ball...
2009-11-10 (5 weeks)
1st Prenatal visit
I'm super excited to announce that I am 5 weeks along! Chris and I saw our baby on the ultrasound and we have a photo, making this all a little more real.
I'm feeling so tired all the time, wanting to sleep and nap almost constantly. I went home early last Thursday and stayed home on Monday, yesterday. I just felt too yucky to come in to work. Now I feel a bit stronger due to the prenatal vitamins I just started taking a coupld of days ago. Food only sounds good to me until I go to try to eat; sometimes it doesn't sound good at all! I'm making myself eat a little at a time because I know the nausea will get worse if I don't eat.
Chris met my doctor and they got along really well. Next prenatal visit will be on 11/25. It's hard not to go around telling everyone I am pregnant...I have such a strong urge to excitedly blurt it out to all my colleagues and friends. I'm going to tell Mom tonight. Lynette, Chris' Mom, already guessed I am preg! It was so weird how she knew...and I think my mom already knows too. She has that 6th sense about my sister too. Lynette told me last night that she had some clues, but the weirdest was when she said that she just had a feeling there was 1 more of us in the room.
