20 Weeks and 6 Days

It's really unreal how time flies when you have children. People tell you, but you can't really grasp what they are saying until you are in their shoes. Since the last time I have written, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend my sister M's birth of her baby girl. It was a whirlwind of a trip. Literally drove to the airport after her water broke and got on a flight to Dallas. I made it in time, and let me tell you it was the most beautiful thing I have ever been a part of. It's her story to tell, but I will tell you that it really affirmed a calling of working in the field that I've been ignoring for quite some time.

This was my first time away for Kennedy for a whole 72 hours! It doesn't sound like much, but I was excited to get home to this little pumpkin.

 

Okay this is super old, from November I think but I need to upload pics in a bad way!

While I was away, I also felt the little one from the outside for the first time. I have been nervous with the little movement I've been feeling, but keep reminding myself that I'm not lying around on the couch as much as I did last time.


How far along? 20 weeks 6 days

Weight gain/loss: Oh dear God, I am afraid of the scale. I was up 27 at my last appointment, but then was down 5 so we will see next week!

Maternity clothes? Yep. They are just so comfortable!

Stretch marks? Not anymore than I already had

Sleep? Insomnia and a crazy toddler have been visiting me at night. I also have a ton of bad dreams! One from two nights ago was about the baby, and it was a little girl we had named Jude?? Weird.

Food cravings: Nothing really. Honestly, I've been craving a beer in a bad way!

Movement? Movement has really picked up in the last few days, and I felt my first outside kick in Texas at 19w6d I believe

Gender: We're those people that don't find out, but we do have our anatomy scan next Tuesday (late because I had to reschedule while I was in TX) if baby wants us to know i suppose they will show us!

Belly button in or out? Still in and it never popped last time

What I miss? Having my body to myself. I'm going through some issues with having been pregnant and then breastfeeding until I was yet again pregnant again. I love every second of it, but at the same time I can't help but want it to be all mine again.

What I'm looking forward to: The constant movement that is coming up. I also love when you can lie down and watch your belly move.

The Doula Decision

Ohmygoodness I am SO excited that Nate agreed to us hiring on the doula that I was hoping for. We had the interview last week and on the way, tears were shed. He is very black and white, my husband, and doesn't quite understand the whole VBAC thing and why it it important to me. Hmmm. Maybe that should be my next post? He's starting to catch on, and OUR doula was able to help him see things even a little more clearer.

So now we wait until around 32 weeks and will have our first prenatal appointment where she will come out to our home and we will go over some hypnobabies things and I've also asked her to help assist me in some nutrition/exercise as well. Now that it is nice out, I am definitely getting out more and doing a lot of walking so hopefully that will help as well!

I really feel so much more confident now that she is hired. We are still not 100% on the OB situation and have an appointment this coming Tuesday at the old one still, which happens to be our anatomy scan. I'm so excited to see this little one! I am starting to feel a few pokes here and there, but nothing like how I did with Kennedy. Maybe it's because I don't get to lay around all day with a laptop on my belly and play on The Bump.

So here we sit at 19 weeks and a few days....

 

 

 

Somehow, the 8.5 oz doesn't add up to the 20 lbs I've put on...

 

Questions For the Doula

Tonight is the night we meet with our potential doula. I am SO excited, and in a way shocked that Nate is even open to the idea. Let me preface by saying I met this women during my last pregnancy with Kennedy and she was really the first person to bring hypnobabies to MN, so of course I was drawn to her. For some reason though I couldn't justify the cost. I also had complete confidence in my body and myself that I didn't see the need for one. Now looking back it is one of the biggest mistakes I made was not getting one.

I've decided to study hypnobabies again for this pregnancy because of how amazing it worked during my last one. I think I am more clam 9 months pregnant, then I am on an average day. So it's important to me to have a doula that is knowledgeable in hypno-anesthesia and one that will use the same terms: transition= transformation, the "P" word = pain is a no-no, labor= birthing time, etc. My goodness I sound like such a hippie some times! So i know that I am already sold on the idea of having her present, but the husband...not so much. I've been looking at some different questions to ask and this is a list that I've collaborated.

-What made you become a doula?
-Where/When did you get your training? Are you certified?
-How many births have you attended?
-How many VBACs have you assisted in?
-Have you ever missed a birth?
-Tell me about a birthing experience that was challenging and how you were able to overcome it?
-What are the prenatal/postpartum visits like? What do they entail?
-Do you have a back-up and do I meet her ahead of time?
-What do you do if I am induced or need to have a c/s?
-How does having a doula still allow for a couple to still feel like this is a private event?

So we will see how this goes. During my last birth I had a nurse that was amazing. I think I spoke of her in my birth story. I keep reminding my husband of her and how awesome it would have been to have had her there the whole time. Maybe if I would have had someone trained in rebozo, Kennedy would have been able to get in a better position.

Today we are 18 weeks and 2 days, so I guess that makes this little bean a sweet potato. This little sweet potato has been doing lots of somersaults and finally is starting to give some kicks and pokes. I swear I remember feeling kicks sooner last time, but I also think I'm a lot more active this pregnancy so there isn't as much time to lay around.

Here are Miss K and I this week at the March of Dimes walk. Don't mind my tongue, but it's the only way she would look at the camera and we were solo! We walk for our friends on the team, Devoted to Dylan. Check out their awesome story here!