Good Friday

Had the exam today, and I'm so happy that's done! I hadn't had an exam in a few years, and was a little nervous. I'm relieved to find out that everything is checking out good thus far!

I met with the second of 7 midwives, this time Janis. Very kind and, like John, very thorough. There was a really good rapport between us, and if I could choose who delivers my baby, I would probably choose Janis. But, alas, it's luck of the draw..who ever is on call the day baby decides to come to us. So, I'll be wanting to meet all of them. With at least 12 visits, we should be able to accomplish that.

Some things I found out today (or, at least, feel more confident about):

~I am O negative blood type. With Michael being O positive, the baby will most likely be positive, and I'll be administered Rho-GAM.

~I have a "beautiful" pelvis, which I assume means "good for baby making"

~All numbers are good, including blood pressure, hemoglobin, etc.

~Weight gain not an issue at this point

~Fibroid is in the uterine wall. There is NO worries about its location or size, even if it grows (which is likely during pregnancy). It will most likely move up and out of the way, meaning delivery should not be affected. It is quite likely the cause of pressure on my bladder right now.

~I was assured that the nurse midwife delivers the baby, and at no time is there a "switch-off" to a doctor, which is a common misunderstanding (unless, of course, something goes drastically wrong).

Also, Janis's opinion on the matter of midwife vs. doctor is that the midwife is there throughout the labor process, coaching and directing, telling me when I should get up and walk, take some fluids, take a bath, etc. Often times doctors check on progress and leave you to it. During the pregnancy, she feels it's her job to best inform me, so that I can make my own choices about how to proceed. She'll never push a medication or test on me - it's my choice. Of course, a midwife's approach to health and pregnancy (much like my own outlook on health) is wellness, not necessarily "healing". I'm not sick because I'm pregnant, so she isn't "treating" me. She's helping me be as healthy as I can be, to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery. This is precisely why my "gut" told me to choose a midwife! :)

One last, and really wonderful item of interest, is that I heard the heartbeat again! Michael and I were able to hear it at the ultrasound appointment, because the tech was kind enough to turn the volume up. This time, I heard it through doppler. Janis tried it once, before the exam, and wasn't picking up on anything. She decided to give it one more try after the exam...and we heard it! She was just as glad as I was, I think. When I heard that, I felt my smile was at least as wide as it was my entire wedding day...with a different emotion behind it. One of relief, as well as of a contentedness I've never felt before...

So far so good!