January 29, 2010
I Learned a New Word Today...Doula
Since finding out I was pregnant, I have had all sorts of questions thrown my way:
- How far along are you now?
- When is your due date?
- Will you find out the sex?
- Where are you having the baby?
- Are you getting a midwife?
- Have you thought about getting a doula?
And the last question has me asking myself, what is a doula?
I have heard of midwives and have heard of many people having great experiences with them. A midwife is a registered health care professional providing care, support, counselling and education to soon-to-be moms from the beginning right to the end.
As for a doula, well this is a completely new term to me. The word alone has me picturing someone exotic, and in fact it is exotic (to the Western world). The word is Greek for slave or servant (a slave or servant helping me with my pregnancy?? WOW). In actuality, a doula provides non-medical emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labour, birth and post partum (depending on your area). She is there to help open up communication and understanding between the mom to be, the partner, the physician and the mid wife. So really, this person acts as a birthing coach and additional “partner” in the birthing process.
Deciding to hire a midwife or doula is quite a personal decision and for me, I’m going to stick with my obstetrician and nurses only. My decision is based on this being my first pregnancy and I’ve always been one to stick to what I know, especially in new and scary situations. With that being said, I am curious to learn more about doulas and speak to people who have had an experience with one. Who knows, once the land of the unfamiliar becomes familiar, I may just venture down the path. Until then, I’ll continue to seek support from my husband, family members and Internet forums.
January 27, 2010
The case of the shrinking belly
At 12 weeks, I swore my belly was growing at warp speed and imagined being in my ninth month tied to bed rest because by that point I’d be so huge. Now I’m in the 15th week and I feel as though my belly has shrunk!
It’s so odd to me but when I wake up in the mornings, I look at myself and think the only thing growing right now are my breasts...which really isn’t a bad thing in my opinion. I saw my OB today and heard the baby’s heartbeat so I know all is OK. I also gained five pounds since my last appointment!
I’m not exactly complaining that I’m not looking entirely pregnant yet, but I’m also looking forward to wearing the maternity clothes hanging in my closet and showing off my bump! One minute if feels like I’ve got a little bump to show off, the next it’s close to nonexistent. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’ve been throwing up more than usual (I’ve heard the second trimester is supposed to be sickness free...not the case here). Or perhaps it’s just gas. I’m guessing it’s a bit of both.
Either way, now that I’ve seen my little one moving around and I know he or she is growing away nicely, I’m looking forward to seeing myself grow away too! After all, how many times in my life will I get excited about putting on a few extra pounds?
January 25, 2010
From Peanut to Baby in a Matter of Weeks!
This past Thursday, my husband and I had an ultrasound appointment. This appointment was booked for first trimester Down’s syndrome screening (or the nuchal translucency (NT) test if you want to get technical). The test is conducted between 11 and 14 weeks and measures the fluid under the skin in the back of the baby’s neck to determine the risk of having a baby with Down’s.
As I mentioned, this test is only available up until the 14 week mark. My doctor and I thought I was 13 weeks pregnant last week but I was informed during the appointment Thursday that I’m in fact 14 weeks along. OVER 14 weeks actually! The baby was measuring 8.6 centimetres and because of this, the test couldn’t be done. Either I’m really 14 weeks or we have a rapidly growing baby! Of course more tests will be conducted between 15 to 20 weeks and I’ll cross my fingers that all is OK!
Regardless of tests being conducted or not, my husband I were introduced to the most beautiful site we have ever seen – our baby! Last time we saw our little one, he or she was just a peanut with a heartbeat. This time, we saw the baby moving around, kicking and even yawning! It was truly amazing to see.
I do wish the Down’s syndrome screening could have been conducted because I want nothing more than to bring a healthy baby into this world, as any soon-to-be mom hopes for. But I’m unsure what I would do with the results if they were to come back positive anyway...
First it was the worry of possible miscarriage, now the worry over the health of my baby and I’m sure it will only continue on from there for the rest of my life. I’m already realizing where my mom has been coming from all these years.
