Thread: ~*~* thatmakes5 Birth Lodge ~*~*

Wow, it's great to read all your stories!

Welcome to your lodge, looking forward to following your next birth

This little One.

This guy was a total and complete surprise!! All of the others are right about three years apart and I had excpected that pattern to continue. For me, that age gap is perfect; they are weaned, potty trained, walking, talking, somewhat self-sufficient.....Yet, they are still close enough that they all play together and have a great relationship.
Sariah had just turned a year old and was still breastfeeding when my husband and mother began to tease me about being pregnant, of course I thought they were nuts. I hadn't even started my cycle again yet!
Then one morning I refused a fried egg sandwich and that afternoon ate a whole bowl of chili on an empty stomach reallly quickly and then got sick. That sealed the deal for mom and DH. Too shut them up about it I ran by the dollar store and picked up a test (figured I wasn't waisting more than a dollar on proving them wrong). Well.....Yeah......... They were all thrilled and I was scared to death! I ran to a normal drug store to pick up a "real test" in case the dollar store test was inacurate It was only a dollar after all, could it be trusted?
A week later I stopped by midwives whith Sariah for what they thought was a catch up visit, they were surprised to find out that we were pregnant again, but then I don't really think they were all that surprised at all. I remember after Sariah she had talked about birth control and I had laughed and told her that I actually have to go on the pill to get pregnant, so we were safe without anything. She replied that she had heard that before..........
They set me up for a dating ultrasound since I had no clue at all how far along I was. DH and I went expecting to see the little coffee bean shape, nope, we saw a baby!!! I was almost thirteen weeks pregnant! I had just adjusted to the fact that I was pregnant at all and now had to get used to the idea that I was almost out of the first tri-mester!!!
The pregnancy has been picture perfect in every way. Mentally I think I am still holding onto some fear of having an infant around. My first three children are older and while the idea of having a baby on my hip used to be appealing, I think it is starting to lose some of it's flavor. We knew we wanted a big family and we both still feel there will be a few more to come.... but I guess at the same time I am ready for a break, although I am not really sure that is even true. People are starting to ask if I am ready for this one to be born and the answer is "no, not really". While I am excited about going through labor and having the baby and maybe the first couple of days, I am apprehensive about after that. I love being pregnant and feeling him move, I love the anticipation of waiting for him to make his grand entrance. I don't think I am all that enthusiastic about caring for an infant again, does this make me a "bad mom"? At the same time I feel I am gyping Sariah out of her time to be the baby... She stopped nursing a lot earlier than my others because my supply went down with this pregnancy and it wasn't worth the effort. I guess I feel some guilt about that. I really don't know how she will react to this baby and that worries me.
Little too late now.
So far everything is perfect. We have our birthing tub (bought it from your water birth.com) and all of our supplies. We have everything ready for him.
My home visit was yesterday. I asked about which hospital we would transfer to and she said that since my risk of transfering for things like slow progress or something the like was highly minimal it would be an emergency transfer and they would take me where they wanted. I also asked about the birth plan and she said I could make one up if it would make me feel better but again with this being my fifth, never having had problems before and having a history of quick labor and deliveries she felt the chance of transfer was too minimal. In case of transfer both her and DH would be with me and since they are both very familiar with my wants and ideals it would be easier for them to communicate this then for the Dr. to be reading off a piece of paper in an emergency situation. It made sense coming from her I guess.
I also called group health to find out the cost of the circumcision and was told that if it was not done at the time of birth we would be responsible for the $20.00 copay. That was a huge relief.

On another note, I really wanted to get an Amby Bed with Sariah but never did. I would like to get one for this child but am wondering if it is truly worth the expense. Even off Ebay or Craigslist they run about $200. Does anyone have any experience with this bed?

The tub looks awesome! I'm sure this birth is going to go just wonderfully.

Yesterday was one of those days that let's you know you are getting closer. Just felt off, a little more crampy, little more crabby, more braxton hicks, couldn't get comfortable...
Today you would never know. With the exception of the bump in front I don't feel pregnant at all. Except for at night. I have hit the insomnia portion where I can just not get to sleep or get comfortable no matter how tired I am. Oh, how I long for the early days of pregnancy when I was literally asleep almost before my head hit the pillow. I suppose it does not help that I have a desire for a large slurpee after I put the children to bed for the night. The other night I asked DH to put me out of my misery and insert a catheter just so I wouldn't have to get out of bed to go pee again.
We bought the hose and the Y adapter today. DH turned up the water temp to ensure we have enough hot water. I have two friends dropping off space heaters for the bedroom and bathroom this week. Made a date with a good friend of mine to do some belly shots this weekend. Looks like everything is coming together. I guess I was slightly surprised by how much more thought and time spent gathering things goes into a home birth vrs. a birth somewhere else. We notified the neighbors we would be birthing at home. We live in a Quadrant community where the houses are literally just a few feet away from eachother. Their bedroom window faces our bathroom window and we figured we should warn them before we get the cops knocking at the door because I tend to be exteremly vocal during transition and pushing
DH has the children playing outside right now. I am so grateful for him. Being homeschooled we usually do a lot of out and about things and field trips during the day. The past month between me having no energy and the price of gas, we have hardly been anywhere and it is starting to show. While I know I should take them out, the thought alone wipes me out.
Sorry for the long, rambling post.

i know all about the insomnia!!! if i find Mr. Sandman or any other sleepy fairy, i'll send em over to you, once i finally get a descent night's sleep!!! good job for your dh getting the kiddos outta your hair!

I loved your birth stories that are wonderful. I can't wait to hear about your home water birth and I would to know what you think of the tub, I am thinking about getting one like yours.

Also your slide show brought tears to my eyes, it was beautiful.

Wow -you've had quite the different birthing experiences!! I know what you mean about your body pushing for you - I had that with #1 but not the other 2 - I wonder why it happens sometimes and not others???

i'm excited to hear about this birth!

Had my 37 week apt. yesterday. It was supposed to be at 10:00 but at 8:15 they called to say that there were two births going on and so they had to move me to 2:00. This was so much better as it meant that DH did not have to take the morning off the drive the kids to Coop. He was a little disappointed though. Then at 12:00 they moved it to 2:45.

When I arrived one of the ladies was just then leaving..... Those long births always amaze me. I am not sure I would be able to handle natural if it went on for so long.

Anyhow, the MW was so funny. She had been up for who knows how many hours and when she walked in she said "I am so glad it is you". Everything is always fine and I rarely have any questions, so she was glad for the chance to sit for an hour and relax and just chat. Can't say I blame her

I am to the point where all these apt.'s are starting to annoy me. While I know that logically they are not a waste of time, they sure feel like they are. It just seems silly to trek down there and just chat for an hour. Well, the end is in sight at least.

Like so many other NCBs and because all four of mine have been past dates I am really expecting this one to be also. I am trying to hold out until at least May 1st. It's for a silly reason actually, but one that is important to me. I wanted everyone in the family to have their own birth month. No two birthdays within the same month. So far it has worked...... We have Jan, March, April, May, Oct, and Nov open. Now the logic is that if this one comes in April it breaks up that three month open period and with another child we would have to try and hit the month on either side. If it comes in May, we have a two month block which is much easier to accommodate. YKWIM? I know, it is silly, but like I said for some reason it is really important to me and I think it is a good sign that with our size family it has worked so far!

Your slideshow brought tears to my eyes too!

I hope you can hold off until May--wanting separate birth months seems like a good enough reason to me.

I can't imagine homeschooling a few older kids, having a toddler, *and* being pregnant. You really need that sleep--I hope it magically comes back for you in these next few wks.