Empowering Birth Blog

Wait a minute, am I past my "due date?"

I really should not be surprised.  I KNOW babies come when they come, I repeat the mantra to my friends all the time.  But since my first two were early, I just couldn't help but be a little bit disappointed when yesterday, my estimated due date (based on my calculations, I was sure of the conception date give or take a day), came and went without a baby.  Baby is not yet engaged (which I know is also common with third plus babies), though it has definitely dropped, and baby loves to hang out in the Left Occiput Transverse or LOT position.  I have tried everything to make baby swing a bit more anterior but to no avail, and of course I KNOW most babies in LOT will rotate to an anterior position by the end of labor, but that doesn't stop me from staying on all fours and doing my hip circles and walking as much as possible.  My midwife thinks I might be late because baby is LOT.  She checked in on me yesterday at home and actually scheduled another appointment for me next week (WHAT, I WILL HAVE A BABY BY THEN!).  I am trying to be very patient and remind myself that I am only forty weeks plus one day, which is really not late at all.  There are times when I really wish people talked about a due month rather then a due date.  I love that my midwife is completely calm and isn't talking about what to do if baby goes past 41 weeks (the talk most OBs I know give at 40 weeks).

I will stay busy, and make sure my husband (whose paternity leave started yesterday) stays busy too.  I polished our tea kettle yesterday, which of course means I am down to the last few chores I can dream up before the baby comes.  My mom and dad are in town but they are staying at my sisters' so that I don't feel too pressured to have a baby and it is great hanging out with mom during the day.  We are off to the arboretum this morning for LOTS of walking.  After two days of rain, we all need to get outside in the fresh air.

My Birth Kit is here!

I had my 33 week appointment last week and received my list of supplies.  Many of the supplies are things that you can easily find at Target or borrow from a friend.  At the top of the list is the 1-800 number to call to order your birth kit.  The birth kit includes the supplies for the midwife plus a few things (like one of those cold pads for after the birth) for mom. The kit is here so as soon as I pass the 35 week mark, I am cleared for a home birth, yippee!

First Home Visit!

The best part about working with a Certified Professional Midwife is the home visit!  My midwife doesn't do many home visits anymore as her practice is rather large, but I still get the occasional home visit, this one from her apprentice of close to two years who is also a good friend of mine.  Nicole took my blood and did a pap smear (because it has been about two years since I have had one), all in the comfort of my own home.  Khady has been practicing taking my blood since Nicole left.  It is so good for her to see mom taking charge of her own health and this means not always having to run to the doctor.  I wanted early blood work because I am RH- and wanted an anti-body titer.  You can debate the pros and cons of Rhogam until the cows come home but when you come from a family that has lost many babies to blood incompatibility, you don't mess around.  Funny how the women in my family continually marry men with positive blood.  I don't get Rhogam  prophylactically but I do check for antibodies and I take Rhogam immediately if I have any bleeding.