Ultrasounds, hospitals, homebirth

I forgot to mention in my last post that I would normally not have an ultrasound at all. I am not a big fan of them. Truth is, we really do not know if there are any ill-effects to the baby. No studies have been done, yet for the last 30 years, ultrasounds are on the rise and have become common place for all pregnant women. Just because they are considered "standard care" does not mean they are safe. I never even had one in my first pregnancy. I wasn't planning to this time around either. But since I measured big, and my last cycle was light, it was best for us to be 100% sure of my dates. And here is the main reason why. I went early with Ronnie, I was 36 weeks 2 days. TN state law says that a midwife cannot perform a homebirth before 37 weeks. So I was 5 days short of having my homebirth, and I ended up having to give birth in the hospital instead. It was totally unplanned and we were unprepared. But praise the Lord it all went well, I had no drugs or interventions and was able to have my natural, vaginal birth.

But lets just say that with this pregnancy, I was actually 4 weeks further along than we thought. And I went into labor at 36 weeks and had to birth in the hospital again. And after baby is born, we discover that I was actually 40 weeks and could've stayed home! I really wouldn't want that to happen, so that is why I had the ultrasound this time. Now my midwife and I are both at peace knowing my dates, and I can relax and enjoy the rest of my pregnancy. And pray that this baby stays in for at least 37 weeks so I can birth at home!

9 weeks 3 days

Look at that cute little baby peanut!  I had an ultrasound today to confirm my dates.  I was measuring big at my 6 week midwife visit, and my last cycle was very light.  So we thought it would be best to get my dates confirmed so there would be no doubts.  And I was right on exactly where I thought I was!  The photo directly above shows a side view of baby, the dotted line is where the technician measured baby.  At the bottom of the photo is says baby is 2.58cm and 9 weeks 3 days.  Bingo!!

It was so neat to see the baby move around and to see the heart beating!  I could see his/her little arms and legs, and cute little head.  In the photo at the top you can see the yolk sack at the top right, that is what feeds the baby until the placenta takes over in a few weeks.

So awesome!  What an awesome God we serve!

Feeling, and looking, pregnant!

I will be 7 weeks tomorrow. It is funny how my belly popped out earlier this time. The first time I was pregnant I had a little belly at 6 weeks, and my pants were too snug. This time, my belly popped at 5 weeks and my pants were too snug!

I saw my midwife, Mary Anne last week. It was SO great to see her again! The wonderful thing about seeing a midwife is your prenatal visits are so much longer than at a doctor's office. And I am able to take Ronnie with me! I was with her for 1 1/2 hours! She checked my blood pressure and urine, and drew some blood for my CBC. I declined the HIV and Hep B test, and another one that I can't remember. I am so glad to have the option of declining certain things. Another plus to having a midwife, and homebirth.

I measured a bit larger at this visit, 10cm instead of 6cm. And since my last period was very light, she wondered if I could be further along than I am. She told me to think about having an ultrasound to verify my dates. So I discussed it with Ron and I am going to get one next week when I am 8 weeks along. The biggest fear is that if we go on thinking I am 7 weeks along, when I am really 11 weeks, then if I go into labor at what we think is 36 weeks, I will end up giving birth in the hospital again. When I could've stayed home since I was really 40 weeks along but did not know it. So it just makes sense to find out.

The other possibility "could" be that I am carrying twins! How exciting is that?? I won't get my hopes up though, even though that would be so awesome! I may just be bigger with this baby for whatever reason. So I guess we will find out next week!