Week 20

So I decided to create a blog to both commemorate my first pregnancy, and also to allow my friends and family to experience some of this with me, and give me advice and/or support along the way!

I am a little behind of course because tomorrow marks the midway point in my pregnancy (20 weeks!), but I figure, better late than never.

My goal is to post each week, so check back frequently if you are interested!

How I am feeling:
I feel extremely lucky because I have felt great from the very beginning (knock on wood).  I was pretty tired during the first trimester, but that has subsided and I have much more energy now.  I can still wear my normal clothes for the most part, but I have to use a hair elastic on the button of my pants to give myself a little extra room for my baby bump.  Here is what I look like at 20 weeks:

Baby movement:
I recently felt her move for the first time!!!  It was very strange, but incredible.  She moves frequently now, especially at night when I lay down or if I sit in the recliner after I eat.  Darren has not been able to feel her move yet, but I think any day now that will change.  She is definitely stretching her limbs and making her self at home and I love every minute of it!

Nursery update:
We successfully consolidated 3 rooms into 2 rooms so we have an empty room waiting to be turned into a beautiful nursery!  We have been researching cribs the past few days.  Here are our favorites so far:

Believe me, I know they all look alike!  Can you see now why it's hard to decide!  We also want to find a long and lower dresser to match the crib that we can use as a changing table, as well as a small book case.  We are lucky that some amazing friends passed on a huge assortment of baby books already, now we just need a shelf to put them on!  We also want a glider and ottoman for all those late nights.  

We are very interested in wall decals right now since they can be removed easily without having to repaint or redecorate.  We are thinking her room will be either a light green or a periwinkle color with a brown tree decal with pink and white flower accents.  Here are some pictures that inspired our ideas:

 While we welcome advice on furniture, we prefer to make our own decisions about the decor.  If you like it, feel free to comment!  If you don't like it, feel free to keep your comments to yourself!  haha.

How baby is growing:

We have been fortunate to have frequent ultrasounds throughout our early pregnancy because of my balanced translocation.  Here is how she has grown!

6 weeks

7 weeks

8 weeks

12 weeks

16 weeks

20 weeks

Favorite Names:

Before I post this, let me mention that I am posting this for Darren, baby and I so we can look back one day and see all the names we were considering.  What we decide to name our little girl is completely up to Darren and I and while we love you and value your opinion, we prefer that you keep it to yourself at this point.  :o)  Here are the names in the running as of January 17:

Ava

Ella

Eva

Isabella/Bella

Lily

Madeline

Tess 

(Rae and Grace – middle names)

Labor and Birth:

I recently switched doctors and left my previous practice that did not have any other option other than being delivered by an OB.  I switched to a practice that has 5 certified midwives and 2 OBs and offers to option of either.  I have chosen to work with the midwives for the birth, but the OBs will be available should they be needed for any extenuating circumstances.  I will be delivering in the birthing center at Wake Med in Cary which offers the type of birthing environment that I would like, and allows me to make the choice to have a natural childbirth.
  

My plan to is use natural coping strategies to manage the pain such as acupressure, massage, deep breathing, warm baths...etc and various laboring positions such as using a birthing ball or a squat bar in order to have a natural childbirth through which I can be completely aware and lucid.

In order to help Darren and I take this very difficult journey we have decided to work with a doula.  For those who are unfamiliar with a doula, she will act as a support system for Darren and I throughout labor and delivery and can help us stay focused during a very stressful and scary time.  We have met with and have decided to work with a wonderful doula named Helene (check out her website: http://mothersangeldoula.com/index.html).  As soon as we met Helene, we both felt extremely comfortable with her and knew she was the person we needed to be there with us for the birth of our baby.  I feel so lucky that we found her and that we will have her there with us.

Additionally, we will be taking a Bradley method birthing class that will offer strategies for coping with the emotional and physical demands of labor together, and will also help us prepare for breast feeding and newborn care.  You all know I am someone who likes to plan and prepare as much as possible.  While I am completely aware that I have no idea what my birth and parenting experience will be like, I feel good about gaining as much knowledge as I can to try to prepare for as much as possible.

  

What I am reading:

I finished an amazing book called Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake (yes, THAT Ricki Lake) and Abby Epstein, which is what inspired me to have a natural childbirth and work with a midwife.  This book helped me see both sides of the birth experience and understand what would work best for me.

I am intermittently reading What to Expect When You're Expecting.  This book is great at answering questions about symptoms throughout pregnancy, and is very reassuring.

I also read Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy.  I do NOT recommend this book to anyone who is pregnant, but someone who has already been pregnant.  McCarthy pokes fun at all the symptoms of pregnancy (weight gain, mood swings...etc), which would probably be very funny if you are not currently experiencing them!  Haha.