I’m 17 weeks along, and my third prenatal visit went well. I didn’t cry, so that alone is an improvement. Morning sickness has left me for the most part, and I’m feeling more energetic and upbeat. I’m actually able to focus on the pregnancy and baby instead of focusing on feeling sick all the time. Everything seems to be going well. I’ve gained more weight than I anticipated, but thankfully, the midwife didn’t mention anything about it. I started doing a prenatal yoga DVD, so I’m hoping the extra exercise will help keep the weight gain under control. I’m starting to need maternity clothes a little more often. Not everything is fitting right anymore.
They drew some blood for the Second Trimester Screening. I have the ultrasound for that in a few weeks. I’m nervous for the outcomes, but I’m very excited to find out the gender. I’m also excited to feel the baby sometime soon. I think I feel things that could be the baby, but I don’t really know for sure…
I also started my HypnoBabies cd’s. I really like the relaxation/hypnosis scripts. I love the pregnancy affirmations. It’s really neat, and I’m hoping to have a positive experience with the method.
DH and I went to a large kids’ consignment sale at a church last night, and we got some things knocked off our registry for such a great price. I was so excited! I got a Boppy pillow, a bumbo chair, a bouncer, some onesies for all under $10 each. I almost got a cradle, but I really like this pack’n'play I’m registered for at Target. It was like going to 10 different garage sales at one time!!
I’ve been looking into different birthing methods. I want to have a natural birth. I know that there are medical options for pain management, but I would like to avoid them if I can since my baby is already exposed to medication. I really don’t want a C-section, and I know that it could be a slippery slope to a C-section if I use an epidural. There are times when epidurals don’t work, so I don’t want that to be Plan A- I won’t have anywhere else to go! I know a little bit about each of the main methods. I think I’m going to end up using a little bit of each. I did invest in the self-study of HypnoBabies, and a family friend will teach us a modified child-birth class which is a combination of both Lamaze and Bradley Method. I’m hoping I’ll have enough tools to use when it’s time to actually give birth!
From what I have gathered, Lamaze teaches relaxed slow, relaxed breathing. When contractions starts, take a deep and cleansing breath. Throughout the contraction, breath slowing in and out. When the contraction ends, take another deep and cleansing breath. If you need more support, you can vary your breath with two or three “hee’s” and a puff. For example: breath in, hee, hee, puff. They also talk about finding a focal point to focus on, finding helpful positions, and other natural relaxation techniques.
I don’t know as much about the Bradley Method. It seems to have more of a focus on teaching strategies to the birthing coach. The course is about 12 weeks long, and it covers all aspects of pregnancy such as nutrition, exercise, and the different stages of labor. This seems like a great option if you don’t know anything about pregnancy, the stages of birth, or what to expect in the hospital.
This method uses a form of hypnosis to help manage pain during labor. It provides a self-study course if you can’t find an instructor in the area. I ordered the different CD’s for the self-study program, and I am looking forward to getting it in the mail! What I liked about this is that you are able to move around with your eyes open.
This method focuses on deep relaxation, visualizing, and self-hypnosis. You aren’t out of it, just deeply relaxing. It talks about how the pain is from fighting against the contractions and not relaxing and working with each contraction. From what I understand, it focuses more on laying down and having your eyes closed.
