This is me at 34 weeks. I can’t get it together enough to post current pictures with the posts, so you gotta go with what you got.
This week I had my Group B Strep test and now we wait for the results. I’m nervous because I’ve been positive before and I have fairly fast labors (at least in the past) (that matters because if I am positive I have to have to rounds of IV antibiotics four hours apart totaling 5 hours of needing to be in labor, but not delivering the baby and sometimes we’ve cut that close). But I’m less nervous now that I have tested, not that I know anything, but my part is now over. We should know by tomorrow or Monday.
We are beginning to gather everything we need. As much as I battle the “we still have time” and the “we have to get everything ready NOW” it’s always a little disconcerting to realize that I actually have to order the home birth supplies ASAP since they need to be here by next week at the midwife home walk-through! Oh my! So I have placed the home birth kit is on it’s way! I have my last OB appointment on Monday where I’ll be asking for 2 prescriptions for post partum care. I’m going to ask for something like Toradol to help with my after pains and my midwife also suggested I ask for Epifoam. Do you know how giddy I was to hear that?! One of the few things that I loved about my hospital visits! And then after next weeks’ midwife prenatal visit I will begin my weekly checkups. Oh, heart palpitations! This is really happening!
On the post partum prescriptions discussion… Matt asked me the other day if I was getting nervous about the medication free birth. I have put a lot of thought into this. I don’t think so very much. I’ve had one of mine almost med free (the epidural took effect in time for the after pains) and after reading that Birth Partner book I realized my coping skills during that birth were instinctive. As bad as that labor was with the mean nurse, the forcing of my hubby out too much, and being attached to a hospital bed, I survived it. I figure, hopefully, how much worse could I be in my own home with my honey, my amazing friend and midwife, and the same coping skills? However, I am a bit scared about the after pains. I know how fun all of that can be. But with the 2 prescriptions and the hospital grade cold packs and epibottle I’m oh, so much more at ease!
So. Today I will clear out my front room/library to make way for the birth pool. I will soon rearrange my room to make the bed safe for cosleeping. I have a friend sending baby clothes (woohoo!!). Another friend sending a car seat and bouncy seat. My husband got a gift card from coworkers just today as a baby shower/lunch blessing that we’ll be using to buy the rest of the home birth supplies and a few baby necessities (you know, things like diapers and wipes and a paci!). And get this, I think we are getting a full blown for real deal baby shower where a few of my friends have said to invite as many people as I can! Um, that hasn’t happened since, like, a few children back! Our last baby shower had 2 sweet devoted friends in attendance. It’s just humbling and super exciting to have people want to celebrate this life as much as we do!!
