Winter Winds

6 Week Count Down!

Hard to believe our little Joseph will be here soon! The past few months have flown by... I really couldn't tell you what happened to September... or October... or November (seriously... could have sworn yesterday was the beginning of November...)

We had our 34 Week appointment today - discussed our labor "wish list". We really get along great with our OB-GYN, he's pretty fantastic. I'm pretty much anti all the medical interventions and he's such a high caliber doctor that he listens, understands, and respects my opinions/desires. And, he can explain and give advice in a way that is not rude/abrasive/dis-respectful. Really classy guy.

Our last appointment wasn't with him because he was out of town, so we had the opportunity to meet with one of the other doctors. Which did not go so well AT ALL. Seriously. Some people just shouldn't be doctors. There's this thing called bedside manner and she seriously lacked it. We had just talked about medical interventions and had seen the various tools at our birthing class the night before. I brought up my strong desire to avoid forceps, vacuum, and the internal monitor. Now, when I brought it up, it was in the "hey, we just talked about this last night in class and we really don't want these items (listed out) used at all during our labor" The doctor's response was literally "WELL, I would HOPE that you would LISTEN to the doctor who probably has 25 YEARS experience and that you would CHANGE your mind in the moment". Then she gave us the canned "it is your right to say no, though". Did she bother explaining any medical reasoning to us? NO. I was completely shocked and appalled. By the time we got to our car and were leaving the parking garage I was in full hormonal melt-down mode with tears streaming down my face because I was so upset. You see, probably the only downside to my OB's clinic is they all participate in rounds at the hospital. Having our doctor actually deliver Joseph is HIGHLY unlikely... which means this lady we had just met and who had just been so abrasive has just as much a chance at being the physician on-call.

Needless to say, I am praying that she is not on-call when we go in. And I truly hope God grants my prayers that our doctor is on-call when we go into labor. Our doc's puts me at ease. When we talked with him today about each medical intervention, he was quick to say that they don't use forceps (thank God!), the internal monitor usage really isn't as invasive as we thought and has the same risks of infection as a natural abrasion of the skin when our baby is delivered. As for the vacuum, he said there is a pretty regular usage, HOWEVER. Each of our desires are completely valid and he completely respects our wishes. He also understands that in the moment of whatever may be happening, WE have the right to have the reasoning explained and the opportunity to say no. He also said that should we say no, that increases the likelihood of a c-section (to which I responded I had no problem with).

That's where Patrick and I differ a bit. I would rather put myself at more risk and deal with a c-section than have to worry that some other intervention may put Joseph at a higher risk of any complications. I would much prefer putting on our "wish list" absolute NOs to the usage of the vacuum, internal monitor, and forceps and just deal with the c-section if my labor progresses down that road. Patrick is a bit more open to the vacuum and internal monitor (all with legitimate medically necessary reasoning to back it up).

So where does that leave me today? Well, slightly more comfortable with the idea... but also feeling support that I am not some crazed person if I decide to just say no.

All this crazy talk and where's the update on our little guy??? Our check-up went really well today, my tummy growth is right on track with where it should be, his little heart is beating just how it should, my blood pressure is great, I can still enjoy food without limitation (all within moderation!). We are freaking great. This little guy is just a ball of energy. Our apps and my daily emails have told us that his movement should be less "violent" or strong... but... let's face facts here people... this is a Bailey boy inside my tummy... Have you met a Bailey boy? They are kind of energetic... kind of a handful... So, that means my tummy can be like a three-ring circus with all the action happening inside. I'm pretty sure Joseph has a daily cardio work-out consisting of either kick-boxing or boxing generally in the vicinity of the right side of my ribs... this action typically lasts for a solid 20-30 minutes of CONTINUOUS punching/kicking... it is a CONTINUOUS rhythm...

My tummy has taken on the alien-like visible movement when he decides to go a little bit spastic (by a little... I truly mean a lot...). I can be sitting in my office having a conversation with one of the associates and he will just decide it is time to be movin' and shakin'.... I'm waiting for the time when one of the associates or my fellow execs actually witness my belly really move...

I've been contracting on a pretty irregular basis. Nothing serious or any cause for concern. I gave the Home store guy a bit of a scare at Fred Meyers a couple weeks ago... didn't mean to, I just had to sit down for a bit to relax after a relatively strong/long contraction I had while walking around with Patrick.

We went to a FABULOUS concert Tuesday night (huge thanks to Steve and Mel!) Mumford and Sons was AMAZING. They are even better live than I thought they would be. Just fantastic. It was technically Joseph's first concert and a pretty damn good one too! Pretty sure our little guy thoroughly enjoyed it. (somehow I also think that listening to Mumford while in labor might actually help it move along a bit too.... had quite a few contractions during the entire concert...)

The nursery is pretty much ready to go. We have all the major stuff taken care of. The only thing that we really need to do is figure out some wall art to put up. We've had a few shopping splurges and bought quite a few cute outfits that we can't wait to put on our little guy. Bought the "going home" outfit - just a super cute little fleece footed sleeper. We are really starting to get anxious to officially meet our little guy. Patrick's ready for me to just go into labor right this minute if he had his way. I can still stand to wait a few more weeks until we are at the "all clear" 37 weeks.

It is bedtime now... long day today... another long day planned for tomorrow.... Peace outside!