Monday, September 28, 2009

Out of the ordinary

I'm 32 weeks pregnant now (8 months for those that prefer it in that form).

When I last saw my doctor we talked about her being out on vacation close to my due date.

Normally there are 5 other doctors that would cover in her absence. Unfortunately I'm not very found of the other choices and I don't want whoever is on call. I want someone familiar. I suggested another female OB in town that friends have had good experiences with so my doctor put a call in to her and guess what, she will be out of town too!

We talked a little more about what I'm looking for in a provider. I want someone who:

1. Wont rush me
2. Wont push medications on me
3. Isn't cut happy
4. Has good bedside manner and will listen to what *I* want (after all, I'm the one having the baby).

My doctor concluded I would probably do great with a midwife and thus she suggested a new one in town : Lisa Freeland.

In case you're wondering what a midwife is exactly (I also highlighted some things to remember):

A Certified Nurse Midwife is licensed and registered by a State Board of Midwifery. In order to obtain these credentials a person must complete a nursing program and then continue with graduate studies specifically in the field of Midwifery. Midwifery education consists of the complete knowledge
of the female reproductive system. They are taught to diagnose and treat (including writing prescriptions). After their schooling, a graduate Nurse Midwife must pass a
national exam (their "boards" if you will). Relative to
their role in the health care system, they receive as
stringent an education as a physician only not in
the medical school tract.
In fact, Ivy League schools such as Columbia and Yale University have Midwifery programs.

A Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is able to care for the essentially healthy women for her obstetrical and gynecological care. She can render complete prenatal, intrapartum and post partum care as well as the diagnosis and treatment of the many common gynecological problems that affect women. In fact, Midwives manage women in all areas of their OB/GYN health including annual exams, pap smears, birth control, hormone replacement, infertility, and, of
course, all aspects of pregnancy and delivery. Midwives do not do surgery and they do not manage high risk problems. They work within a collegial relationship with a physician with whom she can consult or refer a patient. By law, a Midwife must have a physician to back her up. Once a person receives their credentials, their personal style can take many forms.
The most well known are the Midwives who do home births. In this environment, a Midwife has the ability to assist a
couple through the birthing process in a natural and comfortable milieu. It gives the Midwife the freedom to implement a total non-interventionist philosophy.
To the other extreme, and I believe the least known form of
practice, is the Midwife who chooses to mainstream. They are educated with the non-interventionist philosophy and incorporate that core education with a more expanded approach to providing care. These Midwives work in hospital settings (this is where Lisa works). They can be employed in the Midwifery department of a hospital, or like a physician, they work in private practices and are privileged to attend deliveries in the hospital.
Like the home birth Midwife, they utilize such techniques as talking to, walking with, massaging, medicating and showering the laboring patient to help decrease her discomfort. The hospital birth Midwife also has the availability (when she needs to use them) to benefit from modern technology such as fetal monitors, ultrasound, lab analysis and emergency equipment/personnel.

I went and met Lisa last Thursday and she was GREAT! She has hospital privileges and I can still deliver there but I think she will offer everything I'm looking for. She started as a regular nurse, than became a Labor & Delivery nurse and has been a midwife now for 16 years! She's delivered over 1000 babies. If I should happen to need a c-section she will call for one of the "on-call" docs to perform it but she will be there assisting. If I don't get an epidural she can provide labor support (as described above) and she will be there for ALL of the pushing, not just the baby catching. I will have my 37 and 38 week appointments with her while my doctor is on vacation. When she saw me at my 31 week appointment I was measuring 34 almost 35 weeks pregnant. Ive already gained 25 pounds and my back is feeling every bit of it. Thank goodness for pregnancy massage and good insurance that covers it!

The crib transition has been in full swing for almost 2 weeks now. Its been fantastic....until last Saturday. Both babies refused to nap. I finally gave up. Everett stayed up the WHOLE day from 7a-7p it was amazing. Macey on the other hand started to go down hill quickly around 430pm. I put her in her room and she fell asleep in her rocking chair.
I always wondered how parents got those pictures of kids sleeping in the oddest of places. My kids have always been great nappers so I never understood- now I do.
Along with their new independence of toddler beds and the little tikes table for meals & snacks, we got a new step stool! Here are the babies standing up at the kitchen island. They love it. They are able to see what I'm doing and they also like standing at the sink to wash their hands :)

Recently it started snowing here in the interior. Its beautiful. Its not staying on the ground but it is sticking to the rooftops and trees. I feel like Curt & I have been getting things done just in the nic of time (leaf blowing, studded tires on, screens out & windows cleaned etc). The kids LOVE the snow. The first day they saw it Everett walked outside and exclaimed " WOW!" It was so cute. They also love their snow gear and are eager to put it on everyday. I cant wait to take them sledding and to build a snowman. I think Everett will be super excited once he learns about "snow balls" :)

We had our 2nd annual bonfire last night. It was a good time. The babies stayed up and played till nearly 8pm and then I put them to bed and headed back to the party. We asked everyone to bring a lawn chair & a dish. We had a great spread of food and wonderful company :)
The last tidbits of news I have --- our sewer line broke about a week ago (luckily Curt & a friends husband who's a plumber were able to fix it cheaply), and this week our well line broke. I'm thankful that its not 40 below and its not the weekend but I really wish this house (or rather the things attached to it) would settle already. If it continues at this rate we may have to consider moving to another house. We expect some repairs due to the living conditions here and the fact that we are home "owners" but not the same 2 repairs year after year. They should get the well line fixed tomorrow.
My Paypal account was also broken into and transactions were being made that I didn't authorize! I called paypal & my bank and its all been worked out but I was not a happy mama!
Now that Ive filled you in I'm off to pick up toys and get myself ready for bed!

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