Apparently I'm not a very open-minded person when it comes to labor and delivery. I don't believe that herbal remedies help at all, except for the useful placebo effect, which doesn't work on anyone well-educated or skeptical. I think having a baby anywhere besides in a hospital bed is weird (and in many cases, stupid). I don't frown down upon women who opt to have epidurals or c-sections, and I think in most cases, the only people who can really help you have a successful delivery are the health care professionals, your husband (if he's up to it) and maybe your mom, if you're close to her. Other than that, it's all in your head, and as useful as psyching yourself out may be, it can only go so far.
I know, I'm no expert. I've never had a baby. But this is me: I have my opinions.
However, I am beginning to branch out a little, and I've been learning a little about HynoBirthing. The first time I heard about it, it was from my best friend in high school, and she knew I'd probably reject the idea even then. I did, but I didn't forget about it. She later told me that her sister had delivered a baby virtually pain-free using this method and I was impressed. You can't fake that. Later still, I met a girl in my respectable anatomy class who was pregnant and taking HypnoBirthing classes. She told me about what kinds of things she had been learning and the general concepts and explanied that all it is, is working with your body's muscular system (instead of against it) and learning not to freak out-- a major source of physical pain. She told me about it in terms that we use in anatomy, and in a way that made logical sense. In other words, nothing about auras or herbs or the Spirit or anything else. Straight physiology. That I can understand. So since then I've been contemplating trying it out for myself.
So what's the cheapest way I can go about this? I found a class for $175. Ouch. It was the cheapest one I could find. 5 sessions of 2 1/2 hours. It includes a book and technique CDs and stuff. It's convincing, too. The testimonials were cool and the lady who runs it seems really down-to-earth. None of this hokey business. Now we just have to see if we can use our FSA on it. If so, I might be back on here in a few weeks telling you all about my first lesson...
Once upon a time...
So, Gavin and I went in for our ultrasound yesterday. My mom came with us and it was all very exciting. The tech triple-checked that we do want to know the gender of the baby, and then went almost right to it! She pointed out the very clearly defined *ahem* girl parts and, surprise! It's not a boy. I have to admit that I feel really stupid for thinking it was a boy all along. I don't understand why everyone else could predict it, but not me. Actually, I'm a little miffed about all the "I-told-you-so"s. Put yourself in my shoes, people! Anyway, I guess I don't count when they say that most women know the gender of their baby. Oh well. It's a girl, and I'm excited. Assuming certain people don't insist on reminding me that my prediction was wrong, we'll all just forget it eventually.
But now the hard part: naming her. I am a strong believer that names are important, and that puts a lot of pressure on us! I've come up with a top three, but there are probelms with each one. Our top pick, for instance, Zoey, is also a favorite with my sister in-law, who is conveniently due two weeks after me, and has the same last name. We both agreed that niether of us care if they have the same name (she'll just spell hers differently), but I'm still going to wait and see what they're having before I start calling my bump Zoey. (Please be a boy, please be a boy!)
We've got our crib and I spent two weeks scrubbing it down. It's nice and sturdy, and despite the fact that it has a drop-side, it was never actually recalled, so that's a relief. My belly is getting bigger and bigger all the time, and I can feel my wiggley baby doing the hokey pokey almost daily now. From what I could tell on the ultrasound, she's stinkin' adorable! Well, duh-- look at her parents! ;)
So now that I'm openly pregnant, there's not much more for me to talk about than that. Yes, I'm going back to school this semester. Yes, I still have family and friends and callings and stuff, but I'm a little obsessed at the moment. :)
Ponyo is now about the size of a Twinky, or for those against the food comparisons, about the size of a computer mouse. I've been beginning to feel it move, though not often, and I can only feel it when I really pay attention. It spazzed out the other day when I sneezed seven consecutive times. That was cool. Sitting around with Katie and Ariel, both very pregnant, it's been an awesome holiday break, talking about our crazy experiences, feeling each other's babies move (except mine), lounging in funny positions because everything hurts. We've never related to each other so well!
Two more weeks until we find out the gender of our baby, or at least try. I'm so excited! Gavin and I kind of think it's a boy, and we have our reasons, but I won't be at all surprised or disappointed if it's a girl. By they way, my toddler niece, Lily says it's a boy. :) I guess we'll see, one way or another.