Grayson- 36 Week Appointments

We're almost there! I've been having a lot of early labor signs, which can go on for weeks, but it's definitely sinking in that we are having another baby soon! On Monday we had the homebirth midwife, her assistant, the doula and her trainee, my parents and my sister over for the home visit. It's a way for everyone to take a test drive to the house so no one gets lost on the way over during the real thing. It proved to be a good thing since our midwife knocked on the neighbor's door! The appointment lasted about 2 hours and she went over a lot of information about the birth and answered questions from everyone. It really helped Larry and I to see what it would be like to have everyone in the room and we all discussed how we needed to rearrange furniture, etc, so that everyone can fit. The assistant midwife checked the birth kit I had ordered and made sure I had everything I needed. They checked my urine, blood pressure, heartbeat, etc just like you would at a doctor's office, but we were in living room and bedroom! It was pretty surreal. We held most of the appointment in our bedroom, since that's where we'll be for the birth. My dad hung out downstairs with Isaac, Jared, Taven and Royce (just like the real thing, haha!) Everyone upstairs got to hear the baby's heartbeat through a fetoscope. This is a good picture of what one looks like:

The cone shaped end goes on my belly and you put in the ear parts in your ears and wa-la! You hear the baby's heartbeat. It's pretty awesome- simple and effective! Based on some of the ways I was feeling, I asked the midwife to check me. I was effaced, but not dilated. This made me feel MUCH better because I was worried he was coming soon and I wanted to make sure he stayed in until at least 37 weeks. We have some last minute things to buy now- some white grape juice, sheets, mattress protector, etc, and she told everyone that I need to stay in bed for 2-3 days after the birth and I'm not allowed to pick up anything heavier than Grayson. So Larry and I are also getting a few more pillows to make the bed more comfortable for my stay :) She also said that she stays for a minimum of 3 hours, but will stay longer if there are any concerns. She doesn't leave until we are all cozy, comfortable, cleaned, and ready for her to go. I spoke with everyone after she left and they all agreed that they feel very safe with her as our midwife, which is how we have felt from the beginning. The pregnancy has been healthy and he is still measuring 3 weeks ahead, so it sounds like he will be healthy as well! :) 


On Friday I had my appointment with the hospital midwife. At the hospital we were going to attend, they won't let you have a water birth if you are measuring large for size. However, I've measured large for size with all my babies and my midwife knows that. She said she knows I can deliver a large baby, so she is not concerned. That also explains why the chart says baby is only measuring one week ahead :) I love my midwife because she knows what she is doing and she protects her patients. I know that if something changed, and I had to go to a hospital, I would be in great hands at a great hospital. She checked me as well and said it looks like I'm losing my mucous plug and I'm now a full centimeter dilated. She doesn't think I'll have the baby this weekend, but she also doesn't think we'll make it to October. So we'll see what happens! I see her again next Friday and I see the homebirth midwife on the 28th at 38 weeks.


This whole process has been incredible. I love both my midwives and that's an amazing thing. Our doula helped me see early on that I needed to make sure that I dealt with my past experiences with my births. I have been able to let go and forgive the experiences. Will I ever deliver at Northside again? No way. But do I hate doctors and hospitals? Not at all- and I never did. But it's nice to know that the anxiety and fear I had toward doctors and hospitals has gone away. I truly feel fine about the idea of being transferred to a hospital if it's necessary. I know that the people there are trained to help us and they will do their job. I love that I have a hospital midwife that I feel safe with and who has my same philosophies on childbirth and on God. (She was more than willing to pray with us during labor when I asked her about it.) More than likely, if we are transferred, I won't go to the hospital where she works, but her demeanor and care for me during this pregnancy (and that of the OB that she works with) showed me that not all doctors are like the ones I had during my first pregnancies. 


Just yesterday I let go of my previous expectations about the date that Grayson would come and I've handed it all over to God. He's blessed us with 2 amazing children and now He's giving us a third! Larry's excitement over meeting Grayson is contagious and has allowed me to let go of my fears of becoming a mom of 3. We have such a great family unit and we are truly blessed. I can't wait to welcome Grayson and be able to hold him in my arms!