As I spend some of my afternoons watching the show below and others like 'A Baby Story', I can't help but feel frustrated that this is what most women are taught to believe is "normal". Believe me, I was one of those women too last year until I watched 'The Business of Being Born'. Okay - I'm done. :)
Pitocin Is the Star of ‘One Born Every Minute’
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Work it out!
Well, I did start this blog to hold myself more accountable for my workouts, so I'll give you an update there. The Tuesday after we got into town I joined the local Wellness Center - which is a little costly for this small town but well worth the price! My parents are members as well, although I have yet to join my mom in her favorite kickboxing class! This gym has all of my must have amenities - lots of equipment, a pool, sauna, hot tub, towel service, nice locker rooms and a smoothie bar. I've been going 5 times a week, alternating between 45 minutes on the stair stepper and 3-4 mile runs with some weight lifting thrown in. Yes, I will continue to brag about being able to run 4 miles this late in my pregnancy!! It's something I'm definitely proud of, especially knowing that this will help with labor and getting back in shape after the birth. On top of those workouts, I walk the .75 mile trail through our woods twice a day with my favorite dogs.
I've been getting some funny looks and comments while working out too. My favorites include "You're going to make that baby sea sick!" and "You sure must tire that baby out!". I get mostly smiles, but sometimes I get the snide side glance from my treadmill neighbors running slower than me - quite motivating! :)
Did I mention that I can run 4 miles at 37 weeks pregnant?!?!
I've been getting some funny looks and comments while working out too. My favorites include "You're going to make that baby sea sick!" and "You sure must tire that baby out!". I get mostly smiles, but sometimes I get the snide side glance from my treadmill neighbors running slower than me - quite motivating! :)
Did I mention that I can run 4 miles at 37 weeks pregnant?!?!
37/38 weeks and choices!
According to my previous doctor in Phoenix, I'm 38 weeks today! According to my current midwife, measurements and charting I'm 37 weeks! I'll take the 37....I can honestly say I'm not ready for baby Jack to make an appearance quite yet. Sure, we have most of the material goods that we need but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared and intimidated by labor. I think I'd feel the same way if I was going to the hospital, but I know when the time comes I'll be happy to be in the comfort of my home and surrounded by people who know me best. I'm an Ironman after all! Ha!
We've had 3 visits now with our midwife and her two apprentices. They all bring so much knowledge and experience to us, as well as open our eyes to many different choices that aren't the "norm". I've never been one to do or believe what everyone else does just because, so why would I start now right? There are so many choices to be made in regards to the birth plan, extended breastfeeding, using bottles, using a pacifier, co-sleeping, circumcision, cloth diapering, a placenta smoothie (yep, you read that correctly!), baby wearing, immunizations, education......you get what I mean I'm sure, but if you're someone without children or someone that follows a path of what's "normal" you probably haven't had to do to much research on any of these topics. We turned off the "normal" path when we decided to have an unmedicated water birth at home, and I'm not sure we'll be back on that path any time soon. I'm so thankful for a husband that is as eager to make educated decisions as I am and a family that's open minded and respectful - even if they think we're a little crazy.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that the path that we've chosen is necessarily what's right but it is what's best for us. Certainly no one has all the answers, but it's all about respect.
Anywho. We're enjoying the sunshine these past couple days, but the cold temps have got to go! It's been nice having 4 great danes that practically demand a walk through the woods twice a day, because it gets us out. We've been cherishing our quiet, uneventful weekends knowing that they'll be ending real soon. Looking forward to celebrating Matt's birthday on Thursday - the big 3-6!!
We've had 3 visits now with our midwife and her two apprentices. They all bring so much knowledge and experience to us, as well as open our eyes to many different choices that aren't the "norm". I've never been one to do or believe what everyone else does just because, so why would I start now right? There are so many choices to be made in regards to the birth plan, extended breastfeeding, using bottles, using a pacifier, co-sleeping, circumcision, cloth diapering, a placenta smoothie (yep, you read that correctly!), baby wearing, immunizations, education......you get what I mean I'm sure, but if you're someone without children or someone that follows a path of what's "normal" you probably haven't had to do to much research on any of these topics. We turned off the "normal" path when we decided to have an unmedicated water birth at home, and I'm not sure we'll be back on that path any time soon. I'm so thankful for a husband that is as eager to make educated decisions as I am and a family that's open minded and respectful - even if they think we're a little crazy.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think that the path that we've chosen is necessarily what's right but it is what's best for us. Certainly no one has all the answers, but it's all about respect.
Anywho. We're enjoying the sunshine these past couple days, but the cold temps have got to go! It's been nice having 4 great danes that practically demand a walk through the woods twice a day, because it gets us out. We've been cherishing our quiet, uneventful weekends knowing that they'll be ending real soon. Looking forward to celebrating Matt's birthday on Thursday - the big 3-6!!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
36 weeks, Maui, and the Move!
I'm baaaaack and writing from Michigan, where it's 35 degrees with light flurries. An adjustment? Yep! Worth it to be close to family? Of course!
Since I last posted, it's been a whirlwind of changes. We sold our house (thank goodness!!!), shipped a car, hired packers and movers, celebrated our last days of work, said lots of sad goodbyes, went to Maui, and drove 30 hours with a great dane in the back of our SUV!
The highlight had to be Maui, where we were able to go relax after so much that had been going on. We stayed in Wailea at the Fairmont Kea Lani, a place where my family enjoyed a vacation when we were younger. It was peak whale watching season, so we took advantage by going out on a catamaran trip. Every morning we took a 3+ mile run along a beach front path and then relaxed the rest of the day - perfect! The pictures do not do it justice!
We returned from Maui on a Thursday night, Friday the packers came, Saturday the movers came, Saturday evening we hit the road to Michigan, Sunday evening we stayed the night with friends in Illinois and by Monday afternoon we arrived at my parent's house in South Haven! Whew! Since arriving on Monday we've had a nice week of relaxing, adjusting to the weather and settling in to my parent's basement. We've been doing twice a day walks through the back woods with our crew of great danes (4 total - ours, my parents' and my sister's two!) and even made it out for a 3 mile run! I'm joining a gym tomorrow - it's way to cold for me to run outside - plus, my mom wants me to join her in her favorite kickboxing class. We'll see about that!
Another important thing that happened last week was our first meeting with our midwife, Sara Badger (Matt thought her last name was a good omen!) and her two apprentices. We were lucky to have her referred to us by a family friend, and even more lucky that she was willing to work with us this late in my pregnancy. During our first meeting I got to know her better than I knew my primary doctor in Arizona over the previous 34 weeks - confirming my choice to use a midwife. She showed us and let Matt feel where the baby's head, a hand, his butt, and his feet are and we listened to the heart beat - all from the comfort of the couch! We are planning on having a water birth at home, and are very passionate about our choice and way of bringing our son into this world. The midwife will be over every week and I'll be looking forward to it. No more visits to the doctor's office!!!
Well, Matt starts his job Monday (tomorrow) and I'll be trying to enjoying my downtime until the baby is born. Maybe I should take up knitting or sewing or something....but in the meantime, I have a few homemade granola bar recipes to try!
Since I last posted, it's been a whirlwind of changes. We sold our house (thank goodness!!!), shipped a car, hired packers and movers, celebrated our last days of work, said lots of sad goodbyes, went to Maui, and drove 30 hours with a great dane in the back of our SUV!
The highlight had to be Maui, where we were able to go relax after so much that had been going on. We stayed in Wailea at the Fairmont Kea Lani, a place where my family enjoyed a vacation when we were younger. It was peak whale watching season, so we took advantage by going out on a catamaran trip. Every morning we took a 3+ mile run along a beach front path and then relaxed the rest of the day - perfect! The pictures do not do it justice!
We returned from Maui on a Thursday night, Friday the packers came, Saturday the movers came, Saturday evening we hit the road to Michigan, Sunday evening we stayed the night with friends in Illinois and by Monday afternoon we arrived at my parent's house in South Haven! Whew! Since arriving on Monday we've had a nice week of relaxing, adjusting to the weather and settling in to my parent's basement. We've been doing twice a day walks through the back woods with our crew of great danes (4 total - ours, my parents' and my sister's two!) and even made it out for a 3 mile run! I'm joining a gym tomorrow - it's way to cold for me to run outside - plus, my mom wants me to join her in her favorite kickboxing class. We'll see about that!
Another important thing that happened last week was our first meeting with our midwife, Sara Badger (Matt thought her last name was a good omen!) and her two apprentices. We were lucky to have her referred to us by a family friend, and even more lucky that she was willing to work with us this late in my pregnancy. During our first meeting I got to know her better than I knew my primary doctor in Arizona over the previous 34 weeks - confirming my choice to use a midwife. She showed us and let Matt feel where the baby's head, a hand, his butt, and his feet are and we listened to the heart beat - all from the comfort of the couch! We are planning on having a water birth at home, and are very passionate about our choice and way of bringing our son into this world. The midwife will be over every week and I'll be looking forward to it. No more visits to the doctor's office!!!
Well, Matt starts his job Monday (tomorrow) and I'll be trying to enjoying my downtime until the baby is born. Maybe I should take up knitting or sewing or something....but in the meantime, I have a few homemade granola bar recipes to try!
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