~*~*Panonim/Nicole's Birth Lodge*~*~

**Blessedwith4** · 08-02-2008, 11:18 AM

What a great intro, even if it is unfinished

I really hope you have a great homebirth. Are you going to try water labor/birthing?

**ejf123** · 08-03-2008, 06:52 PM

Finally read your intro!!
Can't wait to follow your story!

**Panonim** · 08-04-2008, 12:44 AM

OK, so the story of this pregnancy......

Decided to TTC #2 during the summer of 07, and AF cooperated nicely and returned for the first time at 11 months postpartum (June 07). So we tried for a couple months, and then conceived in September. We were so suprised that it happened so fast, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a chemical pg/early miscarriage.

It seems to take me a good 7-8 weeks for the first AF after a m/c, so we waited for that, and then TTC again during the first real cycle - November/December. Decided to hit the acupuncturist again this cycle to give it a real good shot - and it worked! I saw the acu. shortly after ovulating at the beginning of December, and conceived that cycle. I am just so amazed at how well my body responds to acupuncture. My acupuncturist thinks it's awesome too!

Anyway, the first trimester was HARD. I felt more exhausted for 10 straight weeks than I ever imagined was possible. I can't even describe how I felt. It was the only time in 2 whole pregnancies that I actually wished I wasn't pregnant.

It was utterly depressing. Somehow, I made it to the second trimester when I finally felt like myself again! It was amazing! Whew, you have no idea how happy I was to reach that 2nd tri.

So the rest of the pregnancy has been pretty uneventful. Heartburn, back pain, just that usual stuff. Had a textbook perfect u/s at 21 weeks. My tailbone has been giving me a rough time so I've been seeing a Webster-certified chiropractor regularly since 28 weeks. She is an awesome lady - a mama of 3, including one born at home

. Baby's been in great positioning, and apparantly my tailbone and pelvis are doing great too LOL.

I seem to be prone to the BH ctx - have had them since probably 18ish weeks. They are definitely getting stronger. I'm starting to have spurts of several hours where they'll come close together (5-10 minutes) and then taper off. Also having lots of the menstrual-cramp type of feeling, which I never had with DD, but I hear so many moms say they've had that feeling.

A few nights ago, I was up half the night with very consistent, intense, ctx. Couldn't sleep, restless, achey back and crampy feeling. I was starting to get a little worried that something was starting!

We've been doing a lot of preparing and organizing this weekend. I believe my birth supplies are almost set. We got the birth pool yesterday too! Inflated it, it looks great.

I am super excited to soak in there during labour. It's just the little fishy aquarium pool, nothing fancy, but I'm sure it'll be perfect.

I haven't actually said yet, I guess, but obviously this is a planned homebirth

. The pool is there, but I am not committing to a waterbirth at this point. I will decide when it's time to push, LOL. I'll definitely labour in the water though.

Our MW is awesome. She has such a great reputation in our city for being the best. Even my family doc, who is pretty NCB-friendly, said I made a great choice and was in good hands.

Our home visit is planned for this Wednesday, so that'll be fun. My mom will be here for the home visit, to meet Barb (MW). My mom is going to be a labour support for me, in addition to DH of course, so it'll be nice for them to meet ahead of time.

This feels like a disjointed post. Sorry! It's late, what can I say?

Tomorrow I am fullterm! But, baby, if you're listening, we still need at least a week to get ourselves ready, so don't come out this week! Although my parents think the 08-08-08 birthday would be great. I'd rather it be a little bit later than that!