I was blessed not to have morning sickness. I ate like a pig. I also started showing early. I don't have a very long torso so my uterus had no where to go but out. By 4 months I was out. I was so hoping to stay out of the maternity clothes for a while. But my belly and my rear end were at odds with my thoughts. My mom and I went shopping for jeans when I was back home in Michigan. They were cute! And comfy at that. I finally embraced the notion I was going to gain a lot of weight and figured that this was the time to do it!
Being proactive, I joined Curves gym. To get out and have a goal in mind. I want to be a fit pregnant woman who breezes through labor because she is strong and able. Of course in the past nine months after reading an incredible book called "The Gentle Birth Method" I realize it isn't only physical fitness but mental fitness that prepares you for birth. I've worked on meditation and even self-hypnosis for the big day. My husband keeps coughing the word..."epidural" out at me... but honestly that scares me more than contractions. I don't react well to pain medication. I don't like taking pills. I don't like feeling like I can't handle something. When you are numbed up you can't leave your bed, you need a catheter, you have to be constantly monitored... here come the IVs... Yeah, not so much my party.
If I could have my way... I would love a mid-wife and a birthing pool at home! THAT would have been exactly perfect. I'm such a hippee... (as John puts it :) In lieu of that choice, I have a good doctor and a caring hospital. They understand what I want and have vowed to try and accommodate my birth plan as closely as possible. Even if I can't have a water birth... sigh. I am Aquarius the water bearer! It just makes sense. Plus, my husband is a Pisces. We were always meant to have a fish for a baby either way.
Will the pain be bearable? I don't know. I've never done this before. I honestly am going to keep my expectations low. I am going into this with the attitude of, yeah it is bearable. My body was made to do this. I will do my best to be present, relax, and let the moment be about my son and I, as a team, making this birth happen. I chose to trust my body. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. This won't last forever. A long time... what seems like it, I'm sure. Forever, no. I have a wonderful husband that I've been telling this 'story' to weekly. Sometimes daily. It is my affirmation. My mantra for labor and delivery. I have music picked out and even great visualizations. I want this day to be about calm. I truly believe it will. And I've resolved that if something, anything must intervene, that it is also the way it was supposed to be. I am reaching deep into my yoga roots for this day. I'm excited about it!
Two weeks ago Wednesday, I wound up in the emergency room with a pain in my chest and back that would not subside. The Tuesday before I had the same pain and I was able to manage it with breathing, John rubbing my back and eating a tub of Tums. I thought it was heartburn or worse acid reflux. But nothing they gave me to settle my stomach acid at the hospital would work. After 5 long hours in chest, back and stomach pain, I'd had 2 IVs, several medications and many out of breath moments. My pain finally subsided into a 'bruised' feeling. I ate half a cracker and a few bites of jello. Of course they had me connected to monitors for the baby, I started to have some contractions... no doubt with all the fuss going on. They eventually stopped and I was sent home to sleep upright as best as I could. I tried to eat in the morning. Toast and jello. Oh my lord... here comes the pain again. My doctor made an appointment with the gastroenterologist for me. I saw him the following Tuesday.
I have wonderful doctors... thank the Lord. I have been taking Prilosec two times a day, and I have a diet that was surprising to me. I thought it was going to be all rice and turkey, toast and oatmeal. Actually, I'm to stay entirely away from wheat, dairy, any high fat or high carbohydrate foods. Lean protein and veggies only. I'm learning that the veggie and fruit list is short. I can't eat asparagus, cucumbers, onions, tomato, cherries (I'm dying here), grapes, or lettuce so far. Broccoli, peas, carrots, cauliflower, and spinach seem to be okay as long as they are over cooked. Apples (small) and snacking on frozen raspberries seems to be okay. As for the veggies, I don't season them with anything. Not even salt and pepper. I've lost 8 pounds in the past three weeks, but baby Xan is doing great. And those pounds weren't doing anything for me or him anyway!
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| Me at 35 weeks! |
I've also been drinking two protein shakes a day. I tried using almond milk, which makes them taste so good! But hurts me... So I cut it in half with water. Still hurts a little, but damn I have to eat something! Rice milk is high in sugar and I just can't do dairy even on a good day. I'm trying to avoid a ton of soy. I've heard about the estrogen link and since I already eat soy cheese and tofu I figure the soy milk was just too much. Sigh. On the bright side... I'm getting creative. And I slowly test foods out. Today I will share my awesome breakfast!
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| Huevos Rancheros California |
Huevos Rancheros "California"
3/4 cup egg whitesslice of vegan cheese
1/2 avocado
3 oz. turkey
1 cup wilted spinach
2 corn tortillas
Of course this is what I have to eat. You can adjust the ingredients to suit your palette and your diet. Blah and plain is for me right now. Someday I will be able to smother this awesomeness with green salsa or green chili! Even a nice sprinkling of pico de gallo would be yummy. Serve this with a side of pinto or black beans and I think you've got a serious brunch on your plate as well. Sorry my food photography isn't as sexy as some blogs... I will have to hire a stylist I guess!
Today starts my 36th week. Four weeks to term, one week to 'I can go at a moments notice', says the clever doctor. Sigh. I'm so looking forward to meeting this baby. John and I are very imaginative people. We visualize him sitting with us, sleeping, napping, eating, all kinds of songs to sing to him and even what the dog will think when he cries, laughs and starts walking. It still seems like a dream to me though. I guess because I've been waiting for 9 months in a world of instant gratification. Today I'm going to work on my office space and getting a few things hung up in the nursery. I will be sure to share pictures of our spaces soon!
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