It's Cesarean Awareness Month!-or at least the end of it.

"...She wants to spread the word about how pain in childbirth is not like pain in illness, and emphasizes women do have the ability to rise to the experience of childbirth."

Article: http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=4490

Science & Sensibility

A Research Blog About Healthy Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond

from Lamaze International

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Ever wonder why babies born underwater don’t inhale water or drown?

Why is delayed cord clamping beneficial? This article explains why. I actually learned quite a bit from this :)
http://www.thebirthingsite.com/interventionsacomplications/item/471-delayed-cord-clamping.html

My pregnancy must haves

I've been thinking about the items that I couldn't live without during my pregnancies. This time around, it has been SO much easier to know what I need... especially since I already own some of it from my first pregnancy. Maybe it will help you know what things you may need during yours! 

My top pregnancy must haves:

Leacho Snoodle- A pregnancy pillow

Fluid intake is incredibly important

For the itchy belly and boobs 

Cashews for a boost in protein

70-90% Dark Chocolate

BeBand-Belly band to wear over your pre-prego pants

5000 Iu of D3 in addition to your prenatal. Especially  during the winter months

Prescription that saved my life due to excessive nausea and vomiting

Excited about having a daughter

After bath sillies

My son Tucker always gets super goofy after his bath

My midwife, Debbie, on the radio speaking about home births in WI

Home births are on the rise in WI!
http://tindeck.com/listen/rzeg

It's a girl!

Giggles and curls, ribbons and bows- She's so adorable from her head to her toes!
Due date: August 26th, 2012

On April 10th, 2012, Zach, Tucker, and I went to have our ultrasound at Stork Vision in Madison, WI. This was a very different experience from the clinic where we had our ultrasound with Tucker. It looked like an upscale boutique/spa/photography studio. The patient exam room was gigantic, but cozy at the same time.

The "lady parts"

The ultrasound technician had me lay down, on what looked like a massage table..ahh :) I started to have a Braxton Hicks contraction, which ended up lasting for the entire appointment! It was slightly uncomfortable due to that, but I was so fascinated by the appearance of my baby, that I didn't care. You could actually see the contraction happening on the screen! The baby had her legs "spread eagle", haha, right away; so we could immediately tell that it was a girl. I asked the tech, "are you sure it's a girl?" and she replied, "Yes, I'm 1000% sure!"

Wow! I immediately started excitedly laughing and shed a tear. Zach and I looked at each other in amazement. We were thrilled! A baby girl? Our daughter? Wow, so incredible to say those words. I would have been thrilled with another boy as well, but the idea of 1 boy and 1 girl seemed perfect! 

The rest of the exam took close to an hour. The baby looked perfectly healthy. Praise God! We were only expecting to have the 2D black and white ultrasound, but we were surprised with the 3D as well. Very fun! You could actually see her nostrils, it's that detailed! I was amazed by the technology and the ability to see such fine details of our little girl. She even has my nose!


Afterwards, we bought our first "girly" item at the "boutique"; a crocheted pink hat. As soon as we got in the car, we called Zach's mom. She answers the phone and says, "Ok, I'm sitting down." I told her, "It's time to start buying dresses!" All she said for about a minute was, "Oh my,oh my god, oh my..."Later, we went over to my parents house and had my mom pull the hat out of a bag. My sisters and dad were there as well. The room erupted with screaming and my mom was jumping up and down. Such a wonderful day!

 

C-sections: Some question whether surgery occurs only for medical necessity

"One of life's miracles is being reduced to an epidemic of unwarranted profitable major surgical procedures with serious complications, too often for the convenience of the surgeon," he said. "And vulnerable expectant mothers are not in a position to challenge the recommendations of the obstetrician."

Worth the read!http://www.lvrj.com/news/c-sections-some-question-whether-surgery-occurs-only-for-medical-necessity-145467485.html?ref=485 

19 week prenatal checkup with my midwife

On another beautiful Spring day, I had my 19 week prenatal check up with my midwife. She always spends about 1hr with me. At a clinic you will most likely be allowed only 20 min and it seems very rushed. At my midwife checkups, the entire appointment is very calm and you can ask as many questions as you want without feeling rushed.


We talked about heart burn, a varicose vein spot on my leg(lovely right?),the importance of seeing a dentist during pregnancy,registering at a hospital just in case we have to transfer, good sources of protein in my diet, etc. We listened to the baby's precious heart beat, which was good and strong and in the 150's. My belly measured at 19cm, which is right on track since I'm 19 weeks. Everything went great!


Afterwards, I went grocery shopping for my son Tucker's 2nd birthday party this weekend. I Can't believe I have a 2 yr old and another one on the way! Am I crazy? I'm truly blessed :) Looking forward to my one and only ultrasound next week, where we'll hopefully find out the sex of the baby!

Pregnancy Questionnaire

How far along? 19 weeks

Due date: August 26th, 2012
Baby #? 2nd child
Symptoms? Heartburn, some fatigue, varicose vein spot on my left leg(Looks like a bruise), huge sore boobs!
Movement? Yes! Little pokes.
Cravings? French fries, anything chocolate, pastries, Chinese food, Mexican food, Reeses peanut butter cups.
Gender of baby: Unknown. 1 week until my ultrasound!
Doctor or Midwife: Certified Nurse Midwife
Hospital or home birth? Planned home birth
Mood? Pretty steady. Although, my husband might say differently ;)
Looking forward to: My ultrasound next week and Tucker's 2nd birthday party this weekend. Feeling good!

My top cravings for this week

Placenta Accreta: Multiple C-Sections Can Kill Mother

Another plus for vaginal deliveries! 

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=13399308&sid=26

Childbirth takes longer now than 50 years ago, study finds .

"I think we need to revisit the definitions of 'abnormal' labor, and the timing of the interventions we use."

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/04/02/childbirth-takes-longer-now-than-50-years-ago-study-finds/