At the risk of obsessively posting about being pregnant and getting ready for baby I’m here to talk more about….BABY!
I can’t help it. I opened my email this morning to find my mothering pregnancy update telling me that I’m officially 38 weeks pregnant. Holy mama of all mamas: what a wake up call!
Both of the boys came past their estimated due date. Solshine was born at 42 + 1(ish) weeks and that was with a *lot* of encouragement including cervical sweeps, herbal stimulants and castor oil. I don’t recommend this because I think pushing your body into labor before it’s ready really messes up the organic chain of events. I believe it was the reason I experienced such an extended and exhausting labor. All in all I labored for over 72 hours with small stretches of sleep. (I’m exhausted and overwhelmed just thinking about it.)
With Koala, I was leaning heavily on my experience with Sol and made it a point to find a midwife who would be supportive of waiting until my baby and body were ready to give birth. She was amazing, trusting and supportive even when I started to get really stir crazy in the last few weeks. I went into labor spontaneously at 43 weeks and after some light warm up action I had a really enjoyable and empowering 4-5 hour labor. It was so much better to start out with a new baby feeling well rested and like a complete super hero.
The moral of this story is that although I am now 38 weeks I have been preparing to go all the way to 42 or 43 weeks again. This means I’ve barely begun to get ready until………today!
Something about that email got me excited. It feels time to get ready and suddenly I am envisioning where I want to put the birth tub and how I’ll rearrange our room. I’ve been putting aside old flannel sheets to make a big batch of cloth wipis and I would really love to sew another set of curtains for our bedroom. I’ve been meaning to order prints of all my pictures over the past few years so I can put them in an album to look at with the boys. I’ve got to pull out the baby clothes and wash them. I’ve got to pull out my cloth diapers and go through all the diapers friends have passed along and wash and organize them. I’ve got to gather birth supplies and I have to work out some last minute details with people who I’m relying on for support.
Most importantly the last thing I want to do is work on work/career stuff which signifies I huge shift of focus for me. I am excited to feel excited!
We had a BirthNet meeting tonight and all the ladies were gushing over my belly saying things like, “Can you believe there is a baby in there! Squeeee!” I found myself absolutely basking in the glow. Yes! A baby!
Who will this little person be and what will they look like? I can’t wait to nurse and snuggle and see the boys reactions! I can’t wait to have a newborn to put in a sling and give little baths too. I can’t wait to be surprised if it’s a boy or a girl and to find out what we’ll name them!
I found this video via facebook tonight and not only is Kimya Dawson a favorite of ours, but this family is just WAY too adorable. I loved seeing the bed sharing, ecing, and breastfeeding simply because it feels good to have your personal lifestyle normalized (especially when it is usually under attack by the mainstream majority). It’s there third baby and they look like they are having so much fun and head over heals in love and I want that feeling too!
Call me inspired and tickled pink.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel this baby coming… Mentally shifting is the first part. I’m so happy you don’t know the sex and will be surprised. We always were (surprised that is) and I loved that part.
I’m actually feeling a bit….envious!!!! You lucky Mama!!!!
.-= Kate´s last blog ..Finding the Magic 6/3/2010 =-.
I am so excited for you! It is such an amazing feeling to know that soon, soon, you’ll be giving birth and will be able to hold that little baby. I love that you have found a midwife that honors your baby’s time table too. That is wonderful. Enjoy these last few beautiful weeks :)
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..Why Do You Get to Sleep With Your Partner, But Your Baby Has to Sleep Alone? =-.
I stop by when I have a chance and just wanted to say that I appreciate your wonderful blog and thoughtful giveaways. Felt happy reading of your sweet awareness of this blessed time and wonderful things to come. How lovely. :)
How wonderful! I’m so excited for you! I had about two months left this time last year, but I remember the excitement … it so thrilling, too, to have a little one growing inside you when it’s springtime, then summer! I’m anxious to see pictures!
We had a waterbirth and it was very beautiful, relaxing. The water doesn’t decrease the pain per se, but it helps relax the mama, which gives the illusion of decreasing the pain. I think you’ll love it. You probably already know this, but wait until you’re at least 5 or 6 cm dilated to get in. Women who get in earlier get out before giving birth because the water relaxes them too much and they stop progressing.
.-= Juliana´s last blog ..Cemeteries, Peonies, Stone, Clouds =-.
Aw, Hil, I’m so excited for you! And you never know, maybe this baby will come earlier?! :) Anyway, it’s fun to see the preparations. I’m living vicariously through you! And that video was so sweet. I love that Kimya Dawson album. One of our favorites.